Hydraulic Power Unit for Robots

The Hydraulic Power Unit (HPU) is a core component in fluid power systems, responsible for generating high pressure to drive hydraulic actuators. As the application of hydraulic systems in mobile robots increases, compact and lightweight power units have become essential. A common issue with conventional HPUs is that they continuously supply more flow than required, leading to energy losses from unused output. This wasted energy converts to heat, necessitating cooling systems to maintain proper operating temperatures. However, larger cooling systems add weight to the robot, which in turn demands higher battery capacity. To address these challenges, we have developed mobile hydraulic power units—LHPU and mHPU—that intelligently supply flow optimized for system demand. This approach significantly improves energy efficiency while reducing size, weight, and thermal load.

Both the LHPU and mHPU are capable of continuously variable flow control. By configuring the output flow to match only the operating demand, energy losses are minimized and system efficiency is maximized.